A Longer Introduction to the Alexander Technique

If you have read my short introductory page, you will know that the Alexander Technique
is concerned with how people use themselves and teaches us how to improve, changing
old habits of use. This and subsequent pages enlarge on these ideas, covering the
topics listed on the right.

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique improves the way we use ourselves in everyday activity.

Unconsciously acquired habits in movements, such as standing, walking or sitting,
distort the body and interfere with its natural functioning. We react to each stimulus
to do something by over-tensing or collapsing - literally winding ourselves up (or
down!). This 'mis-use' results in aches, pains, tension, fatigue or simply in feeling
ill-at-ease in one's body.

The Technique helps us to prevent these unnecessary reaction/habit patterns and to
restore our natural 'good use' of ourselves.

The Alexander Technique is not a quick fix. It is a way of learning, and a way of
changing, and these things take time and application.

Who needs the Alexander Technique?

We can't escape from the fact that each person uses himself or herself in a particular
way. It may be good, it may be bad. There is nobody who can't benefit from studying
and improving the way they use themselves. There is nobody who can't benefit from
the Alexander Technique.

People come to the Technique for help with a wide range of problems - chronic back
pain, neck and shoulder tension, RSI, arthritis, recurring headaches etc. Others
would simply like to stand, sit or walk more comfortably and be free of strain.

The Technique is also widely used in various fields of performance such as music,
acting and sports, to enhance skills and prevent injury.

F M Alexander, who formulated the Technique, discovered that it led to "an improvement
of general functioning". It certainly contributes to a greater sense of well-being
and enjoyment of life.

How does the Alexander Technique work?

Alexander said, "Stop the wrong thing and the right thing will do itself". He could
see that when we think of doing anything we immediately set in train a whole sequence
of responses and that the way in which we respond is rooted in habit.

So to "stop the wrong thing", a new skill is necessary; an ability, when we think
of doing something, to decide not to do it. Not only not to do it, but not to react
or in any way get ready to do it.

Only then will there be any chance that we will let the right thing do itself.

Still there is much to get in the way of the right thing doing itself. We can help
by having a clear idea of what should and should not happen at this point. Alexander
thought long and hard about how things worked in the human organism. He began to
realise that all our actions are governed by a very important relationship.

He realised that our balance and reflex support mechanisms are greatly affected by
the co-ordination of the head, neck and back. He began, prior to action, to think
about this co-ordination. He described it as letting the neck be free so that the
head could go forward and up, so that the back could lengthen and widen and the knees
could go forward and away.

He started projecting these new thoughts - he called it "giving directions" - and
he hoped that if he could go on projecting these new directions when he returned
to his original idea and carried out the activity that he would be able to keep the
new directions going throughout the activity.

In this way he believed that he would eventually be able to get the better of his
old habits, and be able to chose how to carry out his actions (that is, he would
have control of the way that he used himself - control of his manner of use - during
the carrying out of the action).

In this way the Technique works to reduce any undue tension or collapse that may
be interfering with the head-neck-back relationship. Once these mechanisms are allowed
to work in harmony, good use spontaneously returns. Freedom of movement, easier breathing,
natural poise and good posture are restored.

Learning through lessons

In Alexander lessons, teachers combine the gentle use their hands with verbal guidance
to help the pupil release unnecessary tensions and learn to prevent the habit patterns
which interfere with natural functioning. This may be done in simple activities such
as standing or sitting, walking or quietly lying down. As the pupil's eyes are opened
to their habitual 'mis-use' and they begin to change, they can apply what they are
learning to any activity from washing-up to singing to sitting in front of a computer,
playing golf, playing the piano - in fact to every aspect and activity of life.